April 28, 2010

So, the Boy Scouts are finally giving out a badge for what I spent the majority of my cub scout meetings doing? Playing Video Games.

Which reminds me of a life lesson I once learned in boy scouts: It has nothing to do with survival skills or anything. A kid in our troop was having a birthday party. And he told every single cub scout that he wanted the slimer action figure from Ghostbusters. Guess what? The kid literally opened about 10 presents, and every single one of them was a slimer action figure, and as I recall, I don't think anyone had a receipt. Play time at his house was probably not all that much fun. You could stage an all out slimer assault on your GI Joe's, but after about five minutes I am sure this got old. What did this teach me? 1. Be careful what you wish for. 2. Obsessing is bad. 3. Slimer, no matter how bad ass, loses his coolness factor in multiples of 5.

Someone please explain to me the appeal of Jimmy John's. I like to call them Jimmy Napkin's. Their bread tastes a lot like compressed napkins - and excuse my inner fat kid (outer), but why do they actually remove some of the bread? Ridiculous, and crappy. But they are fast. And what's with the "free smells" sign? Arrogant bastards - what is so appealing about smelling a sandwich? Is it supposed to bring back memories of when I was a kid at the lunch table and I would sit for hours and savor the smell of my ham sandwich that mom so neatly packed in a sandwich bag? Oh how I treasure those memories . . . sigh

I have not watched one minute of American Idol, and I think I am better for it. I do hear a lot of people championing Crystal Bowersox, and I guess we champion her because she is talented and not the traditional definition of "hollywood hot"? Then, we go out and still buy the "Black Eyed Peas" latest cd (or likely illegally download it) and try to pretend Fergie is attractive?

This is a great article on the 10 classic albums that accidentally have ruined music in their own way

This video should make your day

Beer you should be drinking: Founder's Red Rye PA. Its about the richest color red you have ever seen in a beer. Just excellent. From Founder's: Serious hop bitterness along with unyielding grapefruit bouquet from the
Amarillo dry-hop. Balanced with the malty richness of four varieties of
imported Belgian caramel malts. Pours a spectacular crimson with a
creamy tan head. A generous addition of rye malt accentuates a spicy
crisp finish.

Your daily listening:

A musical about a dysfunctional family dealing with the infant death of their first son. A father who is trying to keep the family together. A mother who wrestles with depression. A daughter who feels invisible. And the son, whose memory haunts every member of the family. Filled with excellent social commentary about the inexactness of psychopharmocolgy and dealing with depression - and, oh yeah, an amazing soundtrack filled with even better singing. Check out this performance from the Tonys. The young man is the spirit, if you will, of the son.

So I am just going to throw a bunch of crap on the wall, and see what sticks - your comments are appreciated.

April 27, 2010

its been a long time since I have blogged . . . yada yada - and then I could sling a bunch of BS excuses. I won't do that here.

You know, if the worst thing that is ever said about you or that you can complain about, is that people took advantage of your kindness, you have lived a pretty good life. Ticky-Tacky score keeping is one of the worst things we can do to each other. I am no saint, and I may not monetarily keep score, but I certainly keep score in other areas. Why do we not see this as wrong? I believe society as a whole has us believing we deserve something - and we feel its up to us to get our own. This, in my opinion, should be the difference between a secular and sacred worldview. Unfortunately, often, its just the opposite. Christianity, and many other "religions" are often trying to posture themselves in the world, instead of living by the principles they claim to possess. Selflessness is difficult, almost impossible really. If you commit yourself to being a giving and selfless person, often, after a few days or weeks you start to believe that behavior entitles you to something. A christian might think, why isn't God rewarding me? Kharma may also be the excuse in other world views. The truth is, the reward is the gift itself. Doing good simply feels good. So, you are a giving person and no one ever gives back to you? We should be so lucky. What a world it could be if we all lived to outscore each other with our kindness and generosity. This is score-keeping I could believe in.

You know what I like? 2 digit addresses. Random I know, but they really fire me up.

My buddy and I were talking the other day, and he brought up a point from John Maxwell that really blew my mind. To summarize, the more someone knows you, the more they should like you and the more interesting you should become. I think this is a wonderful way to live. My life should have depth, and interest. Over time, the more people know you, the more they can cut through all your BS, and if, over time, people learn to like and love you more, I think this is a good indication of the caliber of person you are. Trick is, we need to be constantly improving ourselves so we fit this mold.

If I ever get to 180lbs (unlikely) - I am going to wear one of these tank tops (undershirts) - you can count on it - not because I think it looks good per se, but its a silly little goal.

I have posted this on facebook before, but I need to do it again. Is Nickelback the worst band ever?

So, here is some mandatory listening:

Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest

The Black Keys - Attack & Release

St. Vincent - Actor

Portugal the Man - American Ghetto

Explain to me again the appeal of an unfrosted pop-tart?

Okay, here is a confession - its bad enough that I am watching Dancing with the Stars (although Chad OchoCinco is really my only reason) - but now, I am vehemently rooting against Nicole Scherzinger

For all you beer lover's out there: Dogfish Head World Wide Stout is one of the best stout's I have ever had. That said, let me issue you a caution - its 18% ABV. This is crucial knowledge to have before you consume more than 1 pint. Oh, the cautionary tale I could tell you . . .

Drinking of beer: I am trying to decide my favorite breweries - Dogfish Head, Founder's and Bell's are currently in the running - any other thoughts?

This reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:

"When I get honest, I admit that I am a bundle of paradoxes. I believe
and I doubt, I hope and get discouraged, I love and I hate, I feel bad
about feeling good, I feel guilty about not feeling guilty. I am
trusting and suspicious. I am honest and still play games. Aristotle
said I am a rational animal; I say I am an angel with an incredible
capacity for beer." - Brennan Manning